From the publisher:
Your physical body needs oxygen in order to survive. Inhale, exhale … one leads naturally to the other. Inhale too long and you feel as if your lungs will burst. Exhale too long and you get light-headed.
The same rhythm is essential in the life of faith. You inhale life-giving strength from God through things like prayer, study, solitude, and silence. You exhale generosity, hospitality, and service to the poor. If you try to do one without the other, you wont’ last very long.
This fresh perspective on the classic disciplines of the faith will empower you to process the oxygen of the Spirit. Discover how you can develop a balanced spirituality that reflects the life of Jesus and keeps your faith growing stronger.
I don’t normally post what the publisher says, but they did such a good job doing so that I didn’t feel like trying to recreate the wheel on that particular piece. I was able to read the first chapter before agreeing to read the book and I was intrigued. It felt right all the way down to my toes and I wasn’t disappointed.
As a Catholic, I loved this book because he pretty much tells you what the Catholic Church teaches (if you bother to learn it, that is). In fact, my favorite quote is:
These are some common responses to the inhaling disciplines:
1. I’m not made that way…
2. I don’t have time.
3. I’ve tried these things before, and they haven’t worked for me.
4. These things sound too Catholic. (emphasis mine)
5. I don’t know how…
I love that. One of the things that I think I love best about this book is that it’s a great book to give to someone as an introduction to spirituality and Christian living that has the potential to open the door to Catholicism. Many people hate Catholicism, not for what it IS, but what they THINK it is. This would do well to introduce Catholic-ish doctrine from a non-Catholic. Love it!
I think it’s very soundly Christian, emphasizing the necessary balance between practicing/loving your neighbor AND having a relationship with the Lord. Which, incidentally, was what the readings were about recently (9/13).
You can purchase O2 on Amazon (not my affiliate link – BTW).
About Richard: Richard Dahlstrom is Senior Pastor of Bethany Community Church in Seattle, WA, in the heart of the city, among university students, young professionals, families, the homeless, and the elderly. He is also a popular teacher in North America and Europe for the Capernwray Missionary Fellowship of Torchbearers. He holds a M.Div. from Talbot Theological Seminary. Find out more about Richard at: http://raincitypastor.blogspot.com/. You can also follow him on Twitter @raincitypastor.
If you would like to win a signed copy for yourself, there are 2 ways to enter:
1. Jump over to Pastor Richard’s blog Pastoral Musings from Rain Cityand leave a comment between October 5th and October 24th. Just say hi or tell Pastor Richard what you liked about his book, or share with him how you’ve experienced ‘new life’ in your faith!
2. Tweet this: @raincitypastor Pub.Weekly voted Breathing New Life into Faith as top 10 book in 2008 check it out! http://tr.im/Au8q #O2
The winners will be announced 10/26.
Visit all the stops on the blog tour and find some new friends!
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.